The release of ‘Dhaka Attack’ in October 2017 marked a turning point for Dhallywood, setting a new trend of films centred on law enforcement agencies.
Traditionally, Bangladeshi cinema had often portrayed police officers as corrupt or ineffective, failing to catch criminals. Determined to present the force in a more positive light, police officer Sunny Sanwar conceived the idea for the film, entrusting its direction to his Jahangirnagar University friend, Dipankar Dipan, and involving the police force itself in production.
The film went on to become a major box-office success, later earning the title of Times Blockbuster of the Year.
Unlike the typical formula-driven Dhallywood production, Dhaka Attack was built around an ambitious thriller narrative. The story begins with a theft from a chemical factory and a string of murders.
Initially, investigators suspect personal enmity as the motive. However, when more killings occur and a series of bombings rock Dhaka, including one that kills and injures several schoolchildren, the police uncover a far more complex terrorist plot.
The bombs use a newly devised technique recently cited in academic research, pushing the entire police force into a desperate hunt for the network behind the attacks.
The film marked Dipankar Dipan’s debut as a feature director, following a career in television drama. Instead of relying on romance, he delivered a full-fledged action thriller, a genre rarely seen and never this successful in the Bangladeshi industry.
Performances were widely praised. Arifin Shuvo impressed as Assistant Police Commissioner Abid, while ABM Suman stood out as SWAT Commander Ashfaq. However, it was Taskin Rahman, in the role of antagonist Jisan, who stole the spotlight.
Actress Mahiya Mahi, playing journalist Chaiti, received criticism for her performance, though the appearances of veterans such as Afzal Hossain, Hasan Imam, Alamgir, Nawshaba and Shipon provided pleasant surprises for audiences.
Music also contributed to the film’s popularity. The song ‘Tikatuli’ became a hit soon after release.
At the box office, Dhaka Attack was a runaway success. It grossed Tk 1.5 crore on its opening day and went on to earn more than Tk 9.5 crore. Despite this, the producer later claimed that domestic cinemas still owed over Tk 20 lakh.
Several factors fuelled its blockbuster status: a fresh storyline, advanced technical execution, a cast filled with surprises and innovative promotional strategies.
Film critic Matin Rahman noted at the time, “Most films made by television drama producers are generally weak because of their drama style. Dipankar Dipan’s Dhaka Attack is free from this accusation.”
Like many hit films, it faced its share of controversies. Critics accused it of borrowing too heavily from Hollywood thrillers, questioned the quality of certain graphic sequences, and felt the final act could have been stronger.
Others argued that the film painted too positive a picture of the police, without showing the darker side of the force.
Even so, Dhaka Attack remains a landmark for Bangladeshi cinema. Its success paved the way for follow-up projects by the same producer, including ‘Mission Extreme’ and ‘Black War’.
Though neither matched the impact of the first, they further cemented the action-thriller genre as a viable space within Dhallywood.
